When Jane Denison went to the Gone Girl exhibition in Ballina recently, she
was shocked to find that 49 women have died already this year from domestic violence…
It’s 5.30pm at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery in Ballina. A group of us have gathered before the opening of Amanda Bromfield’s exhibition. As requested, we’re wearing white because, as the audience, we are to be part of her performance for White Ribbon Day. A temporary fence sits in the centre of the room surrounded by bundles of flowers. The look is sombre and funereal – and I’m reminded of the masses of flowers placed next to the fence at Buckingham Palace when Princess Diana died. But, of course, the contrast here is that domestic violence deaths go largely unnoticed. As if testifying to this anonymity, I become aware of a mass of clay dolls stacked on top of each other in a corner of the room.
Amanda begins by telling us that 49 women have died this year from domestic violence. “Oh wait,” she exclaims. “We should check to see if someone has died in the last few days.” Our role in the performance is to enter the room and pick up a doll from the pile and place it on the fence. Amanda, in turn, will sit at a desk in another corner.
Amanda Bromfield as part of her Gone Girl Exhibtion in Ballina.
The performance begins. Amanda enters the room wearing a veil and traditional white flowing wedding dress. When removed from the excitement of a “real” wedding, the dress takes on a ghoulish tone that mocks the innocence of our youthful hopes and dreams. The effect is riveting – and the room is silent. We begin placing the dolls on the fence, as Amanda sits at her desk writing on paper – as if the act of writing is the only place where she can vent her frustrations. There are agonising moments as the procession stops and starts. As both spectators and participants, we are drawn into the atmosphere and envisage the experiences endured by these women. Our tears flow as Amanda reaches a crescendo of frustration. “What can I do?” she cries in despair. Her singular cry echoes the cry of many women.
Gone Girl at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery
44 Ballina Street
Ballina
23 September – 23 October 2016
